Chapter 8
"And then he went with me back to my van and ate dinner with me." said Finnick as he told the story to Nick while they were getting coffee the next day. "After that, I didn't want to con people out of their money anymore. I told Jesus that I was going to change; I was going to give half of my goods to the poor and I was going to repay anybody that I had wronged. After I said that, Jesus announced to the crowds who had followed him that salvation had come to into my heart, for he has come to seek and to save those who are lost!"
Nick was listening in silence for most of it, but the he spoke. "And have you been doing that? Have you been repaying those you have cheated?"
Finnick nodded. "I have." He replied. "I found that rhino that I had cheated and gave him back his money, plus a little bit more, and then so on. I found people that I had cheated and gave them back what they had lost. I tell you, I never have felt so good in my life!"
"Yeah…" Nick muttered. He then talked clearly. "You know, when I was down at the station the other day, I heard from Clawhauser that he was sick with some kind of flu, kind of like what Judy has had."
"Speaking of which," Finnick interrupted. "How is she?"
Nick sighed sadly. "She's been bedridden for days. Her parents are staying with her at her apartment until she recovers." he said.
Finnick's eyes widened. "They can't find out what is the sickness?" he asked.
Nick nodded. "Yep…" he took a sip of his coffee and swallowed it like it tasted bitter. "They've tried everything. They've done tests, x-rays, the whole thing! But still… there's still…" he sighed sadly again, remembering what the doctor had told him. "No cure."
Finnick nodded his head slowly. "So…What were you saying about Clawhauser?" Finnick asked, trying to change the subject.
"Well…" Nick replied. "A couple days ago, Clawhauser had the same problems Judy had been having. Then, a day after Judy became bedridden, Clawhauser went to Chief Bogo's house to speak with him about a case, and he collapsed right then and there. Well, Chief Bogo ran out and found the White Lion. He asked him to heal Clawhauser and then…" Nick stopped, realizing a solution to the problem. "And then… Clawhauser was healed at that moment."
"Well…" said Finnick. "I think we've found the answer to the problem. We should ask the White Lion to heal Judy!"
"Yeah… But…" Nick started.
"But what? What's the problem with that idea?"
"Well, I heard from a couple of the officers down at the station that there has been a severe disturbance in the religious order of Zootopia. Apparently, many of the teachers are getting mad at Jesus for the way he teaches. There have been many death threats and even though nobody is doing anything, they're getting pretty jumpy. So, you can see I'm a little bit worried about joining up with this White Lion from Nazareth."
"Since when have you ever used the words 'Disturbance' and 'Worried' in any of your sentences?" asked Finnick.
"Since those who have tried to go against the religious order of Zootopia get locked up or worse!" said Nick. "Look, there's going to be a party at Mr. Big's mansion tomorrow night. He's invited Judy and me, but Judy can't make it since she's sick."
"So, how does this correspond with Jesus?"
"Well, Jesus and his followers are invited also. I heard from Raymond that Jesus changed water into wine at one of the parties, so he's in good favor with Mr. Big. What's even more amazing is that he's convinced Mr. Big to allow the criminals and riff-raff to come to the party. So, I, Nicholas P. Wilde, who has wronged Mr. Big before, am going to see what this White Lion is all about."
"Well then… I wish you good luck." Finnick replied.
"Also, you're coming with me in Judy's place." said Nick, getting up from the table. "Thank you for the coffee, Finnick."
Finnick's mouth dropped slowly to say something, but Nick had already left the coffee shop. He ran out of the coffee shop. "Alright!" he called after Nick, who was walking away. "But I'm not dressing up for it!"
"Don't worry!" Nick replied, turning around to face him. "You won't have to!"
…
The two foxes arrived at the courtyard of Mr. Big's mansion, where several tents had been set up for the party. Different animals of shapes and sizes were attending the party, some wearing casual wear while others wearing fancy clothing such as tuxedos and dresses. Nick and Finnick wore casual, and they walked through the courtyard, looking the different things going on. The band was playing and the guests were eating and chatting with one another.
Suddenly, Raymond and Kevin, the two polar bear guards of Mr. Big, came towards Nick and Finnick. "The boss wants to see you, Mr. Wilde." said Raymond, who had a very deep voice.
"And please don't try to resist." Kevin spoke. "The religious leaders are here and we don't any trouble at this gathering." Nick nodded nervously in agreement and followed the two while Finnick stayed behind to talk to some friends of his who had come.
The two polar bears and fox walked through the tents until they came to main table. Mr. Big's main polar bear guard, Koslov, sat at the head of the table. Mr. Big sat on the table in his little chair. Mr. Big was an arctic shrew, so he was basically as big as a mouse. His daughter, Fru Fru, and her husband sat on his right size.
"Mr. Big, Ms. Fru Fru…" Nick said uneasily. "The sign for the party said-"
He was interrupted by Mr. Big extended his ringed hand. "Oh yeah, Right." Nick said quickly. He kissed the small ring on his hand then went back to what he was saying. "The sign for the party said that all was invited."
"I understand that." Mr. Big replied. "I wanted to speak with you. I know we both had some rough encounters with each other and… I forgive you. I forgive you for all those times, including the one involving the skunk butt rug… I also want to say that I'm sorry for all those times I tried to kill you. Will you forgive me?"
Nick was stunned. Mr. Big, the most feared crime boss in all Zootopia, was apologizing to him. "Uh… Yeah…" Nick replied. "I forgive you… Uh, question. Not that I'm embarrassed or angry at this, but what made you want to apologize me?"
Mr. Big smiled. "The white lion did." He said, pointing to another table.
While his disciples went to mingle with the crowd, Jesus sat at a table, having a discussion with the blue-suited ram and the green-suited weasel. Nick scooted in a small bit to eavesdrop, but not to join the conversation. The white lion didn't boast about his knowledge, but spoke in a humble manner tinged with a bit of humor.
"Let me ask you this…" Jesus spoke. "How can you take a speck of dust out of your brother's eye when you have a big plank stuck in your own eye?"
"You just remove it." The ram answered. "I knew that. It's obvious."
"You're being a hypocrite." said Jesus, causing the ram and the weasel to look at him weird. "First you take the plank out of your own eye, then you get the speck of dust."
"I don't get it." said the weasel.
"You act self-righteously, thinking that you know what's good for the people. You think you can help them see clearly." Jesus said to them. "You think you can remove the speck of dust in their eyes. However, you do wrong when people aren't looking, and you sin against my father behind their backs. Hence, you have a plank in your eye. So, first get right with my father, then help the people see clearly."
"Your father?" the ram asked, a confused and somewhat angry look on his face.
Then, out of a small crowd that had gathered to hear, there came a loud coughing and the crowd started backing up. A leopard with a sickening condition was wandering his way through the crowd, causing animals to jump back in fear of being infected. This leopard wore torn clothing and had bandages wrapped around his arms and face. His fur was shedding, his eyes bloodshot, and he had several sores and boils covering him.
He knelt in front of Jesus and said, "Lord... If you are willing… then you can heal me."
Jesus smiled and reached out to touch the leopard's face. "I am willing. Be clean!"
Immediately, the leopard was cleansed; The sores and boils were gone, his fur had grown back, and his eyes became normal. The leopard undid the bandages and looked at himself, almost crying at the fact that he was healed. The crowd cheered in amazement and awe.
"It's a miracle!" the weasel said to the ram.
"Miracle, my butt…" the ram muttered, rolling his eyes.
Nick looked at the white lion, who smiled at him. Surely, this must be the one who could heal Judy from her illness. As the people gathered around to see Jesus and congratulate the leopard, Nick tried to get through but couldn't.
"I'll ask him after the party." Nick shrugged, and went to find Finnick.
…..
As the people started leaving and going home, Nick was about to walk up to Jesus when he heard the ram and the weasel talking with each other in private.
"He heals using the power of the devil!" the ram said angrily. "And he'd rather spend his time among the tax collectors, thieves, con men, and bandits! If anything, I say that he's in league with all those thieves!"
"You're right." replied the weasel. "An animal of God would not hang around in the company of evil. So, you think that we should label him an enemy of God?"
"Correct. Anybody who follows the White Lion is an enemy of Zootopia and God himself!"
The ram and the weasel went on their way, possibly to speak with Caiaphas about these things.
Nick's stomach lurched. The white lion… evil? He didn't know what to think of that. He hadn't thought about his religion much, but he didn't want to be an enemy of God or Zootopia, the city he protected.
Nick started sprinting off. "Hey Nick! Where you going?" Finnick called after him. But Nick didn't answer back.
Author's Notes: Sorry it took me a while to upload this chapter. I was over in Ireland doing missionary work for Spring Break! But now I'm back, and ready to write again!
R&R,
Heroboy005
